Importing
an Intergraph PDS Neutral File, Editing the Resulting
Data and Processing an Analysis Using TRIFLEX
1.
Start up TRIFLEX Windows
2.
Click on UTILITIES
3.
Click on IMPORT FILES
4.
Click on PDS IMPORT SETTINGS
a)
Enter the Starting Node Number
b)
Enter the Node Increment
c)
Select the X-Axis Orientation from the pull down
menu provided in this field
d)
Click on the OK button
5.
Click on UTILITIES
6.
Click on IMPORT FILES
7.
Click on PDS FILES
8.
Locate the path where PDS Neutral files ( *.NEU)
reside. In the standard TRIFLEX Windows, PDS Neutral
files reside under the following path:
c:\Program Files\PipingSolutions\TRIFLEXWindows\Samples
Select the (*. NEU) file which should be viewed.
9.
The piping model will be displayed on the screen.
In many piping models imported from PDS, the coordinates
of the piping system will cause the piping model to appear
very distant. Often it will only be represented on the
screen with a spec that is barely visible. To identify
the location of the piping model , do the following:
a)
Click on the NODE LABELS button
(9th button down) on the Graphics Toolbar.
The spec should then be visible with a group of tightly
displayed node numbers.
b)
Click on the ZOOM button (11th
button down) on the Graphics Toolbar. Then place the
cursor near the tightly displayed node numbers, press
the left mouse button and drag the cursor to make a box
around the tightly displayed node numbers. When the mouse
left button is released, TRIFLEX will re-display the piping
model in the window in a larger size. Perform this operation
several times until the piping system is the desired size.
10.
In Graphic Mode (a hand will show for the cursor),
click on the ZOOM POINT button (6th
button down) on the Graphics Toolbar. Then place the
target on the piping model at the point on the model to
be the center point for rotation of the piping system
on the screen and then click the left mouse button. TRIFLEX
will bring the selected point in the piping system into
the center of the screen and will zoom in on it.
11.
When the desired view of the piping system is
achieved, click on the SET HOME button (3rd
button down) on the Graphics Toolbar. This will set this
new view of the piping model as the New Home Position
for the piping model.
12.
At this point, the User needs to review the data
and add data as found to be necessary.
a)
Click on SETUP, then on PROJECT
and enter the desired data.
b)
Click on SETUP, then on OUTPUT
UNITS and select the desired System of Units.
c)
Click on SETUP, then on MODELING
DEFAULTS and enter the desired data.
d)
Click on SETUP, then on CASE
DEFINITION and select the desired analysis conditions.
e)
Click on WORKSHEET button on the
Main Menu bar. The work sheet will then be displayed
for the User to review the data.
f)
Scroll to the top of the spreadsheet and double
click on the word ANCHOR on the first line.
The Anchor dialog will then be displayed. Notice
that the Anchor flexibility is defined as totally free.
Click on the Totally Rigid radio button.
g)
Click on the INITIAL MVMTS/ROTS
tab. Enter any desired anchor movements and rotations.
h)
Click on the PIPE PROPERTIES tab.
Check the data. Enter contents properties and or pipe
insulation,(if none came over in the data from PDS).
Be sure to press RIPPLE so that the entered
data will be propagated through the piping model. If
the contents or the pipe insulation varies throughout
the piping system, then you must go to each pipe segment
where the changes occur and enter/ripple the proper values.
i)
Click on the PROCESS tab. Check
the data. Enter the pressure and temperature values,
if the displayed values are not the desired values. If
a code compliance analysis is to be processed, then the
USE INSTALLED MODULUS radio button is to
be selected (default). If the User expects to process
a rotating equipment analysis or simply wishes to see
the true movements at operating conditions, then the USE
OPERATING MODULUS radio button should be selected.
If the pressure and/or temperature varies throughout the
piping system, then the User must go to each pipe segment
where the changes occur and enter/ripple the proper values.
j)
Click on the WIND LOADS tab. No
wind load data will be brought over from PDS in the data
conversion. The User may enter the desired data. Once
the data is entered, press RIPPLE so that
the entered data will be propagated through the piping
model.
k)
Click on the SOIL LOADS tab. No
soil load data will be brought over from PDS in the data
conversion. The User may enter the desired data. Once
the data is entered, press RIPPLE so that
the entered data will be propagated through the piping
model.
l)
Click on the CODE COMPLIANCE tab.
No code compliance data will be brought over from PDS
in the data conversion. The User may enter the desired
data. Once the data is entered, press RIPPLE
so that the entered data will be propagated through the
piping model.
m)
Looking at the graphics model of the piping system,
there will likely be some flanges that are facing forward
when they should be facing backward. Double click on
each flange and place a check mark in the check box in
the field labeled “FLANGE IS FACING BACKWARD”
which can be found in the middle of the Flange dialog.
n)
Scan the balance of the data to insure that it
is correct. Make any of the desired changes and process
the analysis.
13)
Execute the analysis by either of the following
methods:
a)
On the Main Menu, select Calculate and then from
the pull down Menu, select Basic Calculation, or
b)
Click on the Green Calculate Arrow icon located
just below the Help item on the Main Menu.
